Jeff McDonald: The Living-In-The-Past Tour

ORLANDO — Thought it was strange two nights ago in Miami, when the media notes passed out by Heat p.r. folks came in a nifty folder touting their team as the “2006 NBA Champions.” Live in the past much?

The Heat, however, are positive forward thinkers compared to the folks at the Orlando Magic. On the wall just outside the Magic locker room — literally the first thing Magic related we scribes see when entering the building — is a photo tribute to Orlando’s trip to the NBA Finals.

In 1995.

There’s a young Shaquille O’Neal, posting up an old Hakeem Olajuwon. There’s Nick Anderson playing defense. There’s coach Brian Hill, waving his arms and directing traffic. Although, come to think of it, that last picture could be from last year. Hill hasn’t aged a bit. Of course, he’s not the coach here anymore, either.

The Magic didn’t win those 1995 Finals, by the way. They lost to the Rockets. It’s kind of like the San Diego Chargers producing a glowing tribute to the time they got to the Super Bowl and got waxed by the 49ers.